#mybalifamily

[pathsoftransformation]

One of my favorite things about living at my family’s homestay is that here, as with most of Bali and much of the world, family units are multigenerational. On the poles of the generations are Ebu and Bella. Ebu (grandma, it’s the only name she ever gives for herself) goes to every ceremony in town (and many out of town) and holds the traditions of the family with a smile on her face. She’s constantly creating new offerings for the next ceremony and always starts the songs amongst the women during rituals. She knows how to perform every ceremony but it’s not a rigid following of tradition that accompanies her but rather a love for her community and spirituality. Bella is the resident four year old. Bright in intelligence and spirit and ranging from fierce to shy depending on the hour and day. In the video she’s teaching me how to count as she counts up how many ice creams she wants. It’s why she’s locked us into the kitchen, to demand payment. Her mother Mina only laughed and told me “we’ve been locked in.” I have never seen a parent in Bali yell at their child and I’ve never seen a kid spanked. For the most part parents seem patient and amused. Occasionally, in ceremony, they’ll give a special look or tone but usually they let children be children. People here know that their families and villages will be with them for the rest of their lives. There is a lot of attention paid to harmony and while people will occasionally clash they tend to come back together again in respect of that harmony. Personally I feel there’s a lot to be learned here about the wisdom that comes from sharing space and the times of youth, adulthood and wisdom. #pathsoftransformation #ameaningfullife #liveyourstory #livingalchemy #livingstory #beyondsurviving #lifemagic #returningtonaturesrhythm #lifeunfiltered #Bali #lifeinbali #expat #balihinduism #offerings #spiritualcommunity #mybalifamily #balifamily #family (at Ubud, Bali, Indonesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzpjDZFBAMH/?igshid=bbzcp9cer6ro

[pathsoftransformation]

Once a Bali year every family temple celebrates the anniversary of its consecration. This happens twice a Gregorian year. Essentially it’s a family get together with praise and thanks for (the) God(s). As God in Bali is the Many as One. Since every house has a family temple that’s a lot of smiling faces at various get togethers, with prayers, offerings, and gratefulness. The priest who led the prayers today had four other temple anniversaries to bless. I found myself basking in the glow of a life lived in community, with supportive extended families, village support, and a grateful relationship with the Mystery. People will spend weeks preparing for a ceremony, friends, family and neighbors all doing what they can to help. Bali really is a tropical paradise but that is due to a lot more than the beauty of the island. It’s a culture that nurtures and nourishes community support and relationship to the Mystery. Which leads me to wonder, how can we do more of this in our own lives? #pathsoftransformation #ameaningfullife #liveyourstory #livingstory #beyondsurviving #lifemagic #returningtonaturesrhythm #lifeunfiltered #Bali #BaliAdventure #Wanderlust #dharma_travel #lifeinbali #expat #spiritualadventure #balihinduism #offerings #spiritualcommunity #mybalifamily #livingwiththemystery (at Ubud, Bali, Indonesia) https://www.instagram.com/pathsoftransformation/p/ByjFpsRBXSn/?igshid=lrbnu5z1kre8